Leafs vs. Bolts: Leafs lack a sniper like Vinny

Another toughie for the Leafs, another night when they win on the shot clock but can't score enough to make it mean more than that.

This is the way it's going to be all season, so get used to it.

The Lightning scratched and clawed to protect a 3-2 lead and make it stand up, while Ron Wilson tried every forward combination in the book in an attempt to at least get to overtime.

It was a rather disjointed game that included, oddly, four penalties for delay-of-game, an apt demonstration of why both of these clubs are likely to be on the outside looking in when the playoffs begin next spring.

Hats off to Tampa goalie Mike Smith, the major acquisition for the Lightning in the Brad Richards deal with Dallas last winter. Smith has been nothing short of dazzling this season, vindicating new GM Brian Lawton's decision to sign him to a new contract before this season.

The difference in this game? The hands of Vinny Lecavalier, a player the likes of which the Leafs just don't own right now, and won't get without finishing low in the standings and high in next summer's draft.

It won't get any easier for the Leafs to score some goals Wednesday night against Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils.

Benching and juggled lines can only do so much. Getting much more offence out of this Leaf roster is akin to getting blood from a stone.

Comments

[Kevin]

Your last paragraph summed up the current team perfectly. They're not the worst around, but their recent "hot" play is an exception and not the norm.

[Pat - Vaughan]

it's no secret the Leafs are pitiful on offence. They will make an average goalie look like a hall of famer. No point beating a dead horse.

[Jeff]

hmmm - so 4 delay of game penalities is a good analysis of the quality of the 2 teams eh? So, does it matter that 2 of them shouldn't have been penalities? The first on the Leafs was a BRUTAL call, several replays showed the refs blew it. The 4th on Kaberle was questionable, given that it was a puck swatted out of mid-air that he didn't get all of and it flipped up over the glass. Similar plays have been waived off explained as not being clearing attempts, and therefore not penalties.

Logical conclusion here would be the poor analysis in this piece is a pretty good indication of the knowledge of it's author...

[Faraz]

Well!, where the heck is Sundin....

Damien: you are wrong in chastizing this team to the limits
I love it though when you get after the lousy MLSE

Thanks for keeping this interesting but I do see Leafs making the sixth or even fifth place for the playoffs.

Go Leafs Go!

[s1ms2n]

They have a lot to be desired but they are'leagues' ahead of the team you described in preseason .Their approach has proved you wrong and you can't stand it let alone admit it.

[Mike Milner]

The Leafs lack a sniper like Vinny.....this is news? Of course they lack a player of his quality, that's why they will finish in the bottom of the league, although it may prove difficult to be worse than the Islanders and Atlanta.

[Scott]

The draft is the only way to get a player like Lecavalier? How about in two years when Toronto native Rick Nash is a free agent?

[Lewis McClain]

Damian: This team really needs the leadership, and talent of Matts. Fletcher needs to pay the man, he has the money. He wants to play here, he has always bled blue. He just wants to be treated like the top notch player he is. Quit fooling around before it is too late. Sign him up....

[Ray Brewer]

Leave it to you to point out that Luke Schenn is -4 and it could get worse..As usual you forget to point out a few things..Pavel Kubina is also -4..Most teams that can't score enough goals are littered with players in the minuses..In case you haven't noticed its 2008 not 1981..18 yr old players are much more ready to play in the NHL..

I guess its just not the leafs then..St Louis, Tampa Bay, L.A, Atlanta, Carolina, Phoenix to name a few, all started this season with players from the 08' draft..I guess they are all wrong and your right..How come your not pointing out these things in your articles?..So are you implying that you know more then all of these GM's?..All your talk of being impartial is swamp gas...

[Cameron]

Can you please clarify this great journalism?

"...four penalties for delay-of-game, an apt demonstration of why both of these clubs are likely to be on the outside looking in when the playoffs begin next spring."

Not sure how that determines a teams' ability to make the playoffs. I am sure neither team will make the post-season but that doesn't rank in my top 100 reasons why.

[old goalie]

i have been a leaf fan since 1944.have never fell off the band wagon. harold had me wavering many times. i like the direction we are going in now.they are fast and play with big hearts.much like watching junior hockey.keep on plugging boys.work hard,have fun.you will be rewarded even if you don't realize it by your loyal fans.bye,bye matt you don't know what your missing.